Vice President Sara Duterte’s legal team is considering whether to present her as a witness in her impeachment trial, a move that would subject her testimony to cross-examination by House prosecutors.
House prosecutor and Manila Rep. Joel Chua said the decision rests entirely with the defense, noting that calling Duterte to the witness stand is a matter of legal strategy and would depend on whether her testimony is seen to strengthen their case.
“‘Yun ay nasa sound discretion po ng defense kung sa tingin po nila na mas makakatulong sa kanila ang appearance ng ating Vice President,” Chua said.
He added that once Duterte takes the stand, she would be open to cross-examination by the prosecution.
“Once na siya po ay ginawa nilang testigo, she will be subjected to cross examination,” Chua said.
Under impeachment trial procedure, Duterte would first undergo direct examination by her legal team before being questioned by House prosecutors in open court.
“So pag-inupo siya, magsasalita po siya, ‘yun po ‘yung kanyang direct examination. Tapos kami naman po, i-co-cross namin po siya,” Chua explained.
Chua declined to speculate on whether Duterte will ultimately testify, stressing that the matter remains a tactical decision for the defense panel.
The Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, is scheduled to hold its pre-trial conference on June 18, with trial proper set to begin on July 6.
The House impeached Duterte on May 11, 2026, after 257 lawmakers voted in favor of the complaint, with 25 opposing and nine abstaining. The Articles of Impeachment have since been transmitted to the Senate for trial.